The Resolution and Adventure Medal.

Capt. Cook's second voyage. An excellent example of this scarce medal struck in silver to mark the return of Capt. Cook's ships HMS Resolution and HMS Adventure from his second voyage to the Pacific.

The second voyage was intended to begin in March 1772 as indicated on the medal, but encountered numerous delays and did not in fact set sail until the 13th July. Cook, promoted to Commander, sailed in the Resolution with a complement of 110 men, whilst Tobias Ferneaux commanded the Adventure with 80 men. The purpose of the voyage, which was commissioned by the government on behalf of The Royal Society, was to determine the existence of an Antarctic continent, and to explore the high southern latitudes.

While a quantity of mounted bronze and gilt brass 'platina' specimens from a different reverse die were struck for presentation to the indigenous people of the Pacific, these silver examples (of which 106 were struck) were likely intended as contemporary commemoratives of the voyages of exploration.

Silver medal (45mm); obverse showing laureate head of George III right, signed B.F.; the second reverse with short gap between EN in ADVENTURE, showing two ships viewed from astern; good very fine with slight loss to detail of raised surfaces of bust and sterns to reverse, hairline scratches, slight double-striking, pleasantly toned.

BHM 165.